News

Man runs into trouble storing, selling human faeces

Published

9 hours ago

June 18, 2026

A Kano Magistrate Court has sentenced a man, Mohammed Saidu, to two weeks in prison and imposed a fine of N100,000 for storing more than 50 bags of human faeces outside his residence, creating a foul odour that residents said made life unbearable in the neighbourhood.

Saidu was arraigned after residents reported the offensive smell to environmental authorities in Kano. The court found him guilty of conduct that endangered public health.

Delivering judgment, Magistrate Halima Wali described Saidu’s actions as highly inconsiderate and a threat to public health. She ordered him to spend 14 days in custody, pay a N100,000 fine, and immediately remove all waste materials from the premises. The court also warned him against repeating the offence.

According to reports, Saidu works as a septic tank evacuator and had allegedly been collecting the waste for resale to farmers who use it as fertiliser, a practice known in some communities.

Speaking on the incident, local community leader Musa Abdullahi said the scale of the waste storage was alarming.

“I think he had close to 50 bags of faeces the first time the complaint reached me,” Abdullahi said.

Residents complained that the stench had become so severe that it disrupted their daily lives and prevented them from enjoying their homes.

One of the complainants, Samaila Inuwa, said neighbours initially attempted to resolve the matter amicably before reporting it to authorities.

“We spoke to him about it but he didn’t stop,” Inuwa said.

Before delivering her ruling, Magistrate Wali reportedly visited the property to verify the allegations.

Inuwa expressed relief after the court’s intervention, saying conditions in the area had improved significantly.

“Finally, our neighbourhood is enjoyable once more without any bad smell,” he said.

Abdullahi disclosed that he had previously cautioned Saidu when he first began storing the waste and that the practice had temporarily stopped before resuming.

“When he first started it, I spoke to him about it and he packed them out and stopped. I did not know when he resumed,” he said.

The community leader added that residents bypassed traditional mediation efforts on this occasion and reported the matter directly to government authorities.

He expressed hope that the dispute would be fully resolved upon Saidu’s release, stressing the need for peaceful coexistence among residents.

“My mission is for everybody in this area to live in peace. When he is released, we will talk to him and the neighbours again,” Abdullahi said.

Related Topics:Featured Magistrate Halima Mohammed Saidu

Up Next

Presidential media team highlights federal projects in Abia

Don't Miss

SAN reacts to deregistration of ADC, others

Click to comment

News

KACRAN condoles with Gov Buni, commends him on appointment of new emir

Published

3 hours ago

June 18, 2026

News Diggers

The Kulen Allah Cattle Rearers Association of Nigeria (KACRAN) has expressed condolences to the Yobe State Government, the Ngazargamu Emirate Council, and the family of the late Emir of Ngazargamu, Alhaji Ahmad Tijjani Ibn Saleh Geidam, following his death.

In a statement signed by its National President, Hon. Khalil Mohd Bello, the association described the late monarch’s passing as a great loss to the emirate and prayed for Allah’s forgiveness and eternal rest for the deceased.

KACRAN also congratulated the newly appointed Emir of Ngazargamu, Alhaji Yerima Ibn Mahmud, on his ascension to the throne, describing the appointment as well deserved.

The association noted that the new Emir is a distinguished historian, politician, and public servant who has held several key positions, including Executive Chairman of Yunusari Local Government Area, member of the Yobe State House of Assembly, Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters, and Commissioner in the Ministry of Livestock Development.

According to KACRAN, the new monarch’s wealth of experience in public service positions him to provide effective leadership and promote peace, unity, and development within the emirate.

The association further commended Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, for what it described as a transparent, peaceful, and inclusive process that led to the emergence of the new Emir.

KACRAN said the governor’s handling of the succession process demonstrated respect for the traditions and cultural heritage of the people while ensuring stability in the state.

The group added that the appointment reflects the governor’s commitment to peace, good governance, and the strengthening of traditional institutions in Yobe State.

KACRAN pledged its loyalty and support to the new Emir, assuring him of the association’s cooperation in promoting peace, security, and socio-economic development across the emirate and beyond.

The association expressed confidence that under the leadership of the new Emir and with the support of the state government, the Ngazargamu Emirate would witness greater harmony, prosperity, and progress.

News

Presidential media team highlights federal projects in Abia

Published

6 hours ago

June 18, 2026

News Diggers

By Philippine Duru

08034905774

philippineobetoduru@gmail.com

The Presidential Media Team has commended the visible impact of federal government projects in Abia State, describing ongoing interventions under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda as transformative and beneficial to residents.

The Special Adviser to the President on Media and Public Communication, Sunday Dare, made the remarks during a tour of federal government projects in the state. He was accompanied by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, and members of the Renewed Hope Presidential Media Team.

According to Dare, several federal government interventions are making a significant impact across Abia, including the Omenuko Bridge, electrification projects in Ohafia, ongoing federal road construction works, and various federal housing estate projects.

He said the projects demonstrate the Federal Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and living standards across the country through the Renewed Hope Agenda.

“Nigerians must understand that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu provides the resources every month through statutory allocations and Renewed Hope interventions. The federal government presence is undeniable in Abia today. From the Omenuko Bridge to housing estates, these are Renewed Hope projects funded directly by the administration,” Dare said.

He stressed that the Federal Government remains committed to ensuring that development projects reach all parts of the country regardless of political affiliation, noting that no state is being left behind in the implementation of the administration’s programmes.

The tour formed part of efforts by the Presidential Media Team to assess and showcase federal government projects and interventions across states.

In a statement issued by Linda Ugoo Ogbuehi, Director of Media for the South East chapter of the Remi Tinubu Support Organization (RETSO), the federal interventions were described as evidence of the administration’s commitment to development in the South-East region.

The statement further noted that Renewed Hope projects are being implemented across South-East states, including Abia State, Ebonyi State, Enugu State, Anambra State and Imo State.

News

SAN reacts to deregistration of ADC, others

Published

2 days ago

June 16, 2026

News Diggers

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria and policy analyst, Dr. M. O. Ubani, has questioned the legal basis of a recent Federal High Court judgment directing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deregister five political parties, arguing that the decision may have extended beyond the position previously established by the Supreme Court.

In a legal commentary titled “Deregistration of Political Parties: Has the Court Gone Beyond the Supreme Court’s Position?”, Ubani said the ruling has reignited debate over the interpretation and application of Section 225A of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which empowers INEC to deregister political parties that fail to meet specified constitutional thresholds.

The judgment ordered INEC to deregister the African Democratic Congress (ADC), Action Alliance (AA), All Progressives Party (APP), Accord Party, and Zenith Labour Party (ZLP).

Ubani noted that the Supreme Court had earlier considered INEC’s powers under Section 225A in National Unity Party (NUP) & Anor v. INEC and related appeals arising from the commission’s 2020 deregistration exercise. According to him, while the apex court affirmed the constitutionality of Section 225A and upheld INEC’s authority to deregister non-performing political parties, it did not conclusively determine whether such powers could be judicially compelled by third parties.

“The critical question before the Supreme Court in those cases was principally whether INEC possessed the constitutional competence to deregister political parties. The Court answered that question in the affirmative,” he stated.

He argued, however, that the Supreme Court did not definitively address whether INEC’s power becomes a mandatory obligation enforceable through court action initiated by private individuals or organisations, or whether the electoral body retains some administrative discretion in assessing compliance with constitutional requirements.

According to Ubani, although Section 225A uses the word “shall” in relation to deregistration, its implementation presupposes that INEC must first determine whether a political party has failed to satisfy the prescribed thresholds relating to representation and electoral performance.

“The constitutional design therefore places INEC not merely as a passive executor of constitutional directives, but as the primary evaluator of compliance,” he said.

The senior lawyer expressed concern that courts could be seen as substituting their judgment for that of a constitutionally empowered institution if they compel INEC to act without the commission first making a formal determination of non-compliance.

He further pointed to reports suggesting that some of the affected political parties may not have violated the constitutional provisions relied upon in the judgment, arguing that such controversies underscore the need for INEC to conduct the initial evaluation.

Ubani also raised questions over the issue of locus standi, noting that the suit was reportedly instituted by the Incorporated Trustees of the National Forum of Former Legislators.

He maintained that Nigerian jurisprudence generally requires claimants to demonstrate that their civil rights or obligations have been adversely affected before approaching the courts, except in limited circumstances involving fundamental rights enforcement or recognised public interest litigation.

“The critical inquiry therefore becomes: what legally cognisable injury did former legislators suffer by INEC’s alleged failure to deregister political parties?” he asked.

According to him, civic concern or a desire to ensure constitutional compliance does not automatically confer legal standing under the traditional doctrine of locus standi.

Ubani argued that this jurisdictional issue should have received careful judicial consideration before the substantive aspects of the case were determined.

He also highlighted concerns regarding the balance between judicial oversight and institutional independence, stressing that while INEC’s actions are subject to judicial review, courts have traditionally exercised restraint in directing how constitutionally assigned powers should be exercised, except in cases involving illegality, bad faith, abuse of power, or refusal to act.

“The present judgment appears to proceed on the assumption that once the constitutional conditions under Section 225A are alleged to have been met, INEC is under an immediate and judicially enforceable obligation to deregister the affected parties at the instance of third-party litigants,” he observed.

Ubani warned that such an approach could blur the distinction between constitutional authority, administrative determination, and judicial intervention.

He suggested that appellate courts, including the Supreme Court if the matter reaches that stage, may need to clarify whether Section 225A imposes a self-executing duty on INEC or one that arises only after the commission has undertaken its own institutional assessment.

He said the courts may also have to determine whether the claimants possessed the requisite standing to institute the action and whether the relief granted amounted to an impermissible substitution of INEC’s administrative discretion.

While acknowledging that the Supreme Court had affirmed the constitutional framework for party deregistration, Ubani maintained that important questions concerning standing, judicial compulsion, and the limits of court intervention in INEC’s functions remain unresolved.

He called for broader legal and intellectual engagement on the issue, warning that increasing judicial interventions in the political sphere could have significant implications for Nigeria’s democratic landscape.

“The appellate courts may once again be called upon to define the proper constitutional boundaries between electoral regulation, administrative discretion, and judicial oversight,” he stated.